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2026 Hanoi Digital Nation Summit Awards
Hanoi, VietnamMay 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The GSMA, the global organization unifying the mobile ecosystem, today awarded the Socialist Republic of Vietnam the 2026 Global GSMA Government Leadership Award, one of the highest global honors in digital policy.
The award recognizes countries with the most visionary leadership and practical implementation capabilities, selected annually by an independent panel of international experts based on each country’s digital progress, policy coherence, and execution effectiveness.
Vietnam won the award not only for its ambitious national digital transformation roadmap but also for its timely and coordinated implementation efforts over the past two years. This recognition reflects the widespread view of the global mobile communications industry that Vietnam has become one of the most dynamic digital leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.
Alex Sinclair, Chief Technology Officer at GSMA, said: “It is an honor to recognize the Government of Vietnam with the 2026 GSMA Government Leadership Award, the highest recognition from the global mobile industry to a government. Vietnam is recognized not for a single initiative, but for the coherence, speed, and consistency of its digital transformation.”
The GSMA’s report, “2025 Digital Nations: Sustaining Progress in Asia-Pacific Through Investment,” supports this recognition, positioning Vietnam as a major engine of the digital economy in Southeast Asia. Key findings include:
- In 2024, Vietnam’s digital economy contributed 18.3% of GDP.
- Vietnam ranks in the top 50% of the GSMA 2025 Digital Nation Index.
- The country has achieved balanced development in infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security, and talent development.
- Over the past three years, Vietnam has been the fastest-growing digital economy in the region.
Julian Gorman, Head of Asia-Pacific at GSMA, stated: “By 2030, Vietnam’s rapidly developing digital economy is expected to account for around 30% of GDP. Advanced digital infrastructure and next-generation connectivity will determine whether Vietnam attracts higher-value activities or remains merely a cost-effective link in the global supply chain.”
The GSMA identified two priorities for Vietnam’s next phase of digital development: strengthening trust and security, and expanding advanced digital and AI capabilities.
Read the full press release here.